Devices and methods for providing a distributed manifestation in an environment

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a projection system for providing a distributed manifestation within an environment. The projection system includes a data generator for generating a plurality of data sets of associated state data and spatial coordinate data. The projection system also includes a projector in communication with the data generator for receiving the data sets. The projector is provided with a signal generating module for generating a plurality of electromagnetic signals, and a projecting module for projecting each of the electromagnetic signals towards a target location within the environment. The projection system also includes a plurality of receiving units distributed within the environment, each receiving unit having a receiver for receiving one of the electromagnetic signals when the receiving unit is positioned in the corresponding target location, each receiving unit being adapted to perform a change of state in response to the state data.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/801,775, entitled “Devices and Methods For Providing A DistributedManifestation In An Environment,” filed Mar. 13, 2013, bearing AttorneyDocket No. E0499.70000US01, which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CA2011/000700, filed Jun. 14, 2011, entitled“Devices And Methods For Providing A Distributed Manifestation In AnEnvironment,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/449,290, filed Mar. 4, 2011, entitled “A Projecting System And AProjecting Method.” The entirety of each of the applications listedabove is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to communication technologies.More specifically, the present invention concerns a projection system, aprojector and a projection method for providing a distributedmanifestation in an environment.

BACKGROUND

Projectors are used for a wide variety of applications, such as lightshows or animations for music concerts and other live events, corporatepresentations, video conferences, home theaters, etc. Typically, a videoprojector receives a video signal and projects an image corresponding tothe signal onto a surface, using a lens system.

Video projector technologies include LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), DLP(Digital Light Processing), LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), LED (LightEmitting Diode) and Laser Diode.

It is further known to create light animations by modifying the color ofa plurality of modular elements in response to IR signals sent by aremote control. It is also known in the art to change the state of aplurality of modular elements using a distribution panel to which themodule elements are connected.

An example of such system was developed by the Responsive EnvironmentsGroup at the MIT Media Lab and is known as “push pin computing”. Thissystem includes a hardware and software platform for experimenting andprototyping algorithms for distributed sensor networks. The platformconsists of approximately 100 nodes of inhabiting a substrate ofpredetermined dimensions. The system is described more in details onhttp://web.media.mit.edu/˜lifton/research/pushpin/index.html.

Another known system is shown on the web site of the design studio ofZiagelbaum and Coelho(http://zigelbaumcoelho.com/six-forty-by-four-eighty/). Modular elementsprovided with LEDs react when touched by lighting up, changing color,blinking, etc. They can also be activated by an IR remote control.

Yet another known way of creating a light animation consists of usingballoons linked together in a giant mesh. Each balloon is provided withelectronic components and LEDs. The LEDs of each balloon are controlledvia a console located on a handlebar. The handlebar includes severalconsoles, each console allowing to control a group of balloons, theconsole being linked to the electronic components of the balloons. Theweb site http://www.haque.co.uk/openburble.php provides details on thistype of lighted animation.

A similar light animation consists of animating a giant mesh of balloonsusing cell phones. The mesh includes one thousand helium balloons andseveral dozen mobile phones. The balloons contain miniature sensorcircuits and LEDs that respond to electromagnetic fields, such as thoseof mobile phones. When activated, the sensor circuits of each ballooncommunicate with one another, causing the LEDs of the entire mesh toilluminate. More information on this type of animation can be found on“http://www.haque.co.uk/skyear/information.html”.

These systems provide striking and spectacular animations. However, thecomplexity of the resulting animations is limited, since the lightedelements are not centrally controlled or activated. In addition, thesynchronization of all elements requires them to be physically linked toone another, for example via a panel, as in the “six-fourty byfour-eighty” installation of Ziglebaum and Coehlo, or via a mesh, as inthe SkyEar installation of Hague. This limits the mobility of thelighted elements within a given environment.

In light of the above, there remains a need for systems and methods forproviding a distributed manifestation in an environment which alleviatesat least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a projectionsystem is provided. The projection system is for providing a distributedmanifestations within an environment. The projection system comprises adata generator, a projector and a plurality of receiving unitsdistributed within the environment.

The data generator for generating a plurality of data sets of associatedstate data and spatial coordinate data. The projector is incommunication with the data generator for receiving the data setstherefrom. It comprises a signal generating module for generating aplurality of electromagnetic signals, each one of the electromagneticsignals being representative of the state data from one of the datasets. The projector also includes a projecting module for projectingeach of the electromagnetic signals towards a target location within theenvironment. Each target location corresponds to the spatial coordinatedata associated to the state data transmitted by the electromagneticsignal.

The plurality of receiving units is distributed within the environment.Each receiving unit is provided with a receiver for receiving one of theelectromagnetic signals when the receiving unit is positioned in thecorresponding target location. Each of the receiving units is alsoadapted to perform a change of state in response to the state data.

In accordance with another aspects of the invention, there is provided aprojector for providing a distributed manifestation within anenvironment through a plurality of receiving units. The receiving unitsare adapted to perform a change of state and are positioned at targetlocations within the environment. The distributed manifestation is basedon a plurality of data sets of associated state data and spatialcoordinate data.

The projector first includes a signal generating module for generating aplurality of electromagnetic signals, and encoding each one of theseelectromagnetic signals with the state data from one of the data sets.Encoded electromagnetic signals are thereby obtained. The projectorfurther includes a projecting module for projecting each of the encodedelectromagnetic signals towards one of the target locations within theenvironment corresponding to the spatial coordinate data associated tothe state data encoded within the to electromagnetic signal.

Preferably, the projector is provided with an encoder and the receivingunits are each provided with a decoder. Preferably, the encoder is amodulator and the decoders are demodulators. Still preferably, the statedata is representative of a video stream and the receiving elements areprovided with LEDs.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a methodis provided. The method comprises the steps of:

-   a) generating a plurality of data sets of associated state data and    spatial coordinate data;-   b) generating a plurality of electromagnetic signals, each one of    the electromagnetic signals being representative of the state data    from one of the data sets;-   c) projecting each of the electromagnetic signals towards a target    location within the environment corresponding to the spatial    coordinate data associated with the state data transmitted by the    electromagnetic signal;-   d) distributing a plurality of receiving units within the    environment; and-   e) at each of the target locations where one of the receiving unit    is positioned:    -   i) receiving the corresponding electromagnetic signal; and    -   ii) changing a state of said receiving unit in response to the        state data.

Advantageously, the present invention allows updating individually aplurality of receiving units with a wireless technology in order tocreate a manifestation, for example a visual animation. Embodiments ofthe invention may advantageously provide systems for displaying oranimating elements by controlling or animating them from at least onecentralized source. Control of these elements in function of theirlocations within a given space may also be provided, while not limitingtheir displacement within this space. Embodiments may also provide thecapability of wirelessly updating the modular elements dispersed withinthe given space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictivedescription of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose ofexemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a projection system according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a data set, according to a preferredembodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of two different embodiments of areceiving unit, respectively.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams representing differentembodiments of a projector, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of yet another variant of a projectionsystem, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts illustrating the steps of a projectingmethod according to two preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10A is a schematic representation of a projection system for anapplication within a crowd.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of an individual of the crowd provided witha receiving unit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have beengiven similar reference numerals. In order to preserve clarity, certainelements may not be identified in some figures if they are alreadyidentified in a previous figure.

In accordance with a first aspect thereof, the present inventiongenerally concerns a projecting system for creating am manifestationusing a projector and several receiving units distributed within a givenenvironment. Electromagnetic signals are sent by the projector and mayvary in function of specific locations targeted by the projector. Inother words, receiving units located within a target location of theenvironment will receive specific electromagnetic signals. These signalswill include a state data, instructing the receiving element on a changeof state they need to perform. The change of state can be for example achange of color. The combined effect of the receiving units will providea manifestation, each unit displaying a given state according to itslocation.

The expression “manifestation” is used herein to refer to any physicalphenomena which could take place within the environment. In theillustrated embodiments, the manifestation is a visual animation, suchas a change in color, video, or simply the presence or absence of lightor an image. The present invention is however not limited to visualanimations and could be used to provide other types of manifestationssuch as sound, shape or odor.

The environment could be embodied by any physical space in which themanifestation takes place. Examples of such environments are infinite:the architectural surface of a public space, a theatre, a hall, amuseum, a field, a forest, a city street or even the ocean or the sky.The environment need not be bound by physical structures and may only belimited by the range of propagation of the electromagnetic signalsgenerated by the system, as will be explained in detail further below.

The receiving units can be dispersed in any appropriate manner withinthe environment. At any given time, the receiving unit may define a 2Dor a 3D manifestation. The manifestation within the environment may befixed for any given period of time, or dynamic, changing in real-time orbeing perceived to do so. The distribution of receiving elements withinthe environment may also be either fixed or dynamic, as will be apparentfrom the examples given further below.

Referring to FIG. 1, a projection system 10 according to an embodimentof the invention is shown. The projection system 10 includes a datagenerator 14, a projector 22 and a plurality of receiving units 32. Inthe illustrated example the plurality of receiving units 32 are providedwith LEDs and together form the manifestation, in this case a visualdisplay having the shape of a luminous star.

Components of projection systems according to embodiments of theinvention will be described in the following section.

Data Generator

The data generator 14 can be a computer, a data server or any type ofdevice provided with memory 60 and a processor 62, able to store andtransmit data to the projector 22. In operation, the data generator 14generates a plurality of data sets 16, for example taking the form ofdata structures, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2. The data setsgenerated by the data generator 14 can include real-time state changes,cues or sequences of state changes to be executed by receiving units 32located at a specific target location within the environment. Stillreferring to FIG. 2, each data set 16 generated includes at least statedata 18 associated with spatial coordinate data 20. Of course, the datasets 16 may include further information, such as headers includinginformation which identifies the information that follows, block ofbytes with additional data and/or instructions, as well as trailers, forconfirming the accuracy and stats of the data transmitted. As an exampleonly, the data set 16 illustrated takes the form of a data structure, inwhich part of the payload includes state data 18 while another part ofthe payload includes spatial coordinate data 20. Streams of data setscan take the form of an array, a table, a queue or a matrix containingnumerous data structures.

The term “state” refers to a mode or a condition which can be displayedor expressed by a receiving unit. For example, a state can take the formof a visual manifestation, such as a color, a level of intensity and/oropacity. The state can also relate to a sound, an odor or a shape. Itcan be a sequence of state changes in time. For example, the state datacan be representative of a video stream, the distributed manifestationdisplayed by the receiving units 32 being a video, each receiving unit32 thus becoming a pixel within a giant screen formed by the pluralityof units 32.

In order for the projector 22 to address specific receiving units 32within the plurality of units, the state data 18 is associated withspatial coordinate data 20. The term spatial coordinate refers to acoordinate which may take various forms such as for example a positionin an array of data, a location within a table, the position of a switchin a matrix addresser, a physical location, etc.

Projector

Now with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, different embodiments of theprojector 22 are shown. A projector 22 can be any device able to projectdirectional electromagnetic signals. It can be fixed or mobile, and aprojection system 10 according to the present invention can include oneor several projectors.

The projector 22 is in communication with the data generator 14 andreceives the data sets therefrom. While in FIG. 1 the data server 14 isshown apart from the projector 22, it can be considered to include thedata generator 14 within the projector 22. In either case, theconnection between the data generator 14 and the projector 22 allowingcommunication therebetween can be either a wired link or a wirelesslink. The projector 22 includes a signal generating module 24 and aprojecting module 28.

The projector first includes a signal generating module 24 forgenerating electromagnetic signals 26 including of the state datacontained in the data sets received. In other words, eachelectromagnetic signal 26 generated by the module 24 is representativeof a specific state data 18 contained in a corresponding data set 16.

In this one embodiment, the electromagnetic signals 26 have a wavelengthwithin the infrared spectrum. Other wavelengths may be consideredwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

The signal generating module 24 preferably includes one or more lightemitters 40. Each light emitter 40 generates correspondingelectromagnetic signals 26. The wavelength of the electromagneticsignals may be in the infrared, the visible or the ultraviolet spectrum,and the signal generating module 24 can include light emitters 40generating electromagnetic signals at different wavelengths. Theelectromagnetic signals 26 may be monochromatic or quasi-monochromaticor have a more complex spectrum. For example, the light emitters may beembodied by lamps, lasers, LEDs or any other device apt to generatelight having the desired wavelength or spectrum.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7, in particular embodimentsof the invention, the signal generating module 24 may include an encoderfor encoding each electromagnetic signal in order to obtain an encodedelectromagnetic signal. While not shown in FIG. 5, this embodiment ofthe invention also preferably includes an encoder. The encoder may forexample be embodied be a modulator which applies a modulation on each ofthe electromagnetic signals 26, the modulation corresponding to thestate data transmitted by the data generator 14 and thereby beingencoded within the electromagnetic signals.

With reference to the embodiment of FIG. 6, the data sent by the datagenerator 14 may be encoded within the electromagnetic signals 26 by themodulator 42 at the time of generating of the electromagnetic by thelight emitter 40. Preferably, in this embodiment the modulator 42 iscoupled directly to the light emitter 40 in order to control the emitter40 such as to directly output the encoded electromagnetic signals.Alternatively or additionally, as seen in FIG. 7, the modulator 42 b maybe an external modulator disposed downstream the light emitter 40 andapplying the modulation on the electromagnetic signals 26 after theyhave been generated and outputted by the emitter. The external modulatormay for example be embodied by an amplitude modulator, a phase modulatoror a more complex modulating system as well known to those skilled inthe art.

The modulation can be either an analog or a digital modulation. Themodulator 42 preferably generates a modulation signal having anamplitude, a frequency and a phase, each of these parameters beingpossibly controllable to perform the desired modulation. The projector22 can include modulators 42 to modulate the signal of light emitter 40in one or in a combination of modulation methods. Modulation techniquessuch amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation,phase-shift keying, frequency-shift keyin, on-off keying,spread-spectrum and combinations of these techniques are well known tothose skilled in the art.

In other embodiments, the encoder may be embodied by other types ofdevices which act on the electromagnetic signals 26, a filter and/orshutter 22 placed in front of the radiation emitters 40. Both encodingmethods may be used in conjunction.

As explained previously, a projector 22 can be provided with a singlelight emitter 40 or combinations of emitters 40 in order to communicatewith receiving units 32 using many wavelengths concurrently. Similarly,the signal of a light emitter 40 can be modulated sequentially orconcurrently in different ways to communicate different information.Both methods can be used concurrently. In other words, the projector 22can project the electromagnetic signals 26 successively or in parallel,at least for some of the signals.

For example, a projector 22 can modulate the signal 26 of an infraredemitter 40 at three different frequencies in order to transmit statedata 18 on three independent channels. Receiving units 32 equipped withamplifiers and/or demodulators tuned to these three frequencies may thenchange state according to the signal they receive on three independentchannels. For example, using red, green and blue LEDs coupled to each ofthese three associated state color allows the units 32 to displayfull-color video in real-time.

Referring still to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the projector 22 also includes aprojecting module 28 for projecting the electromagnetic signals 26generated and optionally encoded by the light generating module towardsthe target locations within the environment, as defined by thecorresponding coordinate data.

Various devices and configurations may be used in the projecting moduleto spatially direct electromagnetic signals in various directions.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment the projecting module 28 mayinclude a light directing element 66, such as collimator, which isdisposed in the path of the electromagnetic signals 26, and a motorizedassembly 68 coupled to the light directing element 66 in order to moveit. Control of the motorized assembly 68 can be performed from withinassembly itself, for example with a microcontroller (not shown), or itcan be made via a control module within the data generator 14. Theposition of the light directing element 66 is adjusted and changed alongone, two or three axes in function of the spatial coordinate data sentby the generator 14, allowing the electromagnetic signals 26 to bedirected towards specific locations in a given space. Of course, inother variant of the invention, the data generator 24 and thecontrollable motorized unit 68 can be included within the enclosure ofthe projector 22.

Referring to FIG. 6, in accordance with another embodiment, theprojecting module 28 may include a matrix addresser 44 in the path ofthe electromagnetic signals 26. The matrix addresser may for example beembodied by devices such an array of scanning mirrors or ofliquid-crystal matrices, such as the ones used in video projectors. Thematrix addresser 44 therefore generally has a plurality of switchelements 46 each controllable to either block the electromagneticsignals 26 incident on it or to propagate the signal towards a targetlocation. In other words, the matrix addresser 44 can be viewed as anarray of switches 46 turned on or off for transmitting the signal ornot. The switches may include components such as micro-mirrors which canbe controlled independently to direct the portion of the electromagneticsignal being transmitted in the desired direction. It is also possiblefor the mirrors of the matrix addresser to modulate the beam incidentthereon. For example, the modulator 42 can modulate the signal receivedby the data generator 14, generating an electromagnetic signal of 1 MHz,and a mirror 46 of the matrix addresser 44 can further modulate theelectromagnetic signal at 1 KHz, in response to instructions from theprocessing unit 48. Of course, it is possible for either individualmirrors or groups of mirrors to modulate the signals received usingdifferent modulating parameters, for example, using differentfrequencies, different width or duration of pulses (PWM or PMD), etc.

The processing unit 48 thus controls the operation of the matrixaddresser 44 according to the spatial coordinate data 20 sent by thedata generator 14. This spatial coordinate data 20 can correspond forexample to the location of a specific micro-mirror within a DigitalMicromirror Device (DMD). The spatial coordinate data 20 can also referto a specific group of micro-mirrors within such a projector 22. Inother embodiments of the invention where the projector is moved by acontrollable motorized unit, the spatial coordinate data wouldcorrespond a position of the projector within a given referential.

Using a matrix addresser 44 provides the advantage of being extremelyprecise for addressing units 32 independently. The micro-mirrors arrayand liquid-crystal matrix systems also have the benefit of being able toconcurrently address the receiving units 32, while a scanning mirrorsystem is limited to sequential addressing. Alternatively, both types ofcontrol, successive or parallel, may be combined in a single system, asfor example shown in FIG. 7.

The state data may be encoded in the electromagnetic signals projectedby the projector through modulation. In other variants, the state datamay be defined by the absence or presence of an electromagnetic signal.For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, data sets 16 send fromthe generator 14 to the projector 22 include: 1) state data 18 relativeto a lighting state of the receiving units 32, the state being eitherlight-on or light-off, and 2) spatial coordinate data 20 associated withthe state data 18, corresponding to a specific group of micro-mirrors ofthe projecting module 28. Some of the micro-mirrors will projectelectromagnetic signals 26 transmitting a “light-on” state, and otherwill project electromagnetic signals 26 transmitting a “light-off”state. Of course, as an alternative, a group of micro-mirrors canproject the electromagnetic signals 26 with the “light-on” state, whilethe remaining micro-mirrors will not transmit any signal, some of thereceiving units not receiving any signal, and thereby staying switchedoff. As explained earlier, it is also possible for mirrors of the matrixaddresser to further encode the signals, each mirror being able tomodulate the incident signal received.

It will be readily understood that the projector may further include anynumber of optical components as required by the particular design of thedevice in order to further shape, direct or focus the electromagneticlight signals. A light directing element 66, or a beam shaper, such as alens or a collimator, may be placed frontward of the matrix addresser44. In some embodiments, the projector may for example include one ormore collimators and/or a beam shaper for shaping the electromagneticsignals 26 into a desired pattern in order to address a specific groupof units 32 dispersed in the environment, in a similar fashion as when agobo lamp projector is used.

The projector 22 may also include a wireless receiver 58 in order toreceive feedback signals 27 from a wireless transmitter 56 of thereceiving units 32 (shown in FIG. 4). The feedback can includeinformation relative to the current state of the units, their digital oranalog inputs, their current geo-location or any other information. Ofcourse, the wireless receiver 58 is an optional element of the projector22.

One skilled in the art will readily understand that the variousillustrated combinations of the components of the projectors illustratedin FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are shown for illustrative purposes only, and thatdifferent combinations could be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

Receiving Units

Best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the receiving unit 32 is at leastprovided with a receiver 34 and with a component 54 allowing the unit todisplay or express a state. Of course, the receiving units are alsoprovided with a power source 64 for powering the receiver 34 and thestate changing component 54. For example, each of the receiving units 32used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 can be provided with aninfrared sensor as the receiver 34 and with one or several LEDs as statechanging components 54, the LEDs being switched ON or OFF according tothe signal 26 received.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the receiving units 32 may be positioned in agiven target location 30 will perform a change of state in response tothe state data transmitted by the electromagnetic signal received. Inother words, the receiving units 32 a located within the target location30 of the micro-mirrors projecting the signals with the “light-on” statewill light up their LEDs, while the receiving units 32 b located outsidethe target location of micro-mirrors projecting the light-off mode willhave their LEDs switched off, such that the plurality of receivingelements 32 distributed within the space will display a star.

While the plurality of receiving units shown in FIG. 1 has atwo-dimensional configurations, it can also be considered to distributethe receiving units 32 in a three-dimensional configuration. Of course,in other embodiments, other state changing component 54 can be usedinstead of the LEDs, as it will be explained later on.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, receiving unit 32 for use withprojection systems according to embodiments of the invention are shown.Each receiving unit 32 is adapted to perform a change of state accordingto the state data received within the electromagnetic signals 26.Preferably, the units 32 are electrically independent from the otherreceiving units 32. In other words, there is preferably no wiredconnection between the units 32, which advantageously allows increasingthe mobility of each individual unit 32. Each unit 32 wirelesslyreceives information relative to the state it must take from theprojector 22. The receiving unit 32 receives electromagnetic signalsfrom the projector 22 using a receiver 34, for example, a signaldetector. The receiver 34 may for example be embodied by an infraredreceiver, a light sensor, or the Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) or CMOSimage sensor of a camera, or any other appropriate device. The receiver32 is also preferably provided with a decoder to decode or read thestate data embedded in the electromagnetic signal, such as an analog ordigital decoder. Once the unit 32 has decoded the state information sentwirelessly from the projector 22, the receiving unit 32 changes state sothat it corresponds to the state data encoded within the electromagneticsignal received.

Various types of components can be envisaged. State changing component54 can include light emitting, light reflecting or light filteringmembers such as, but not limited to, light-emitting diodes (LEDs),organic LEDs, quantum dots, incandescent lights, neons, liquid crystaldisplays (LCD), plasma displays, electronic paper displays,electrochromic displays, thermo-chromic displays, electromechanically-actuated light filters, electroluminescent elements andphosphorescent members. In other types of manifestations the change ofstate may also take the form of sound, shape, motion, odor, texture, andis therefore not restricted to visible changes.

The receiving unit 32 may be embodied by any device able to receive adata signal 26 from a projector 22, and to change of state in responseto the received signal 26. For example, but not limited to, thereceiving unit 32 can consist of a mobile phone, a digital media playeror a watch provided with an electromagnetic detector such as a camera, alight sensor, an infrared receiver, usable in conjunction with aprojector and adapted to change of state. In another example, thereceiving units may be an array of speaker distributed within a givenspace and wirelessly updated using the projecting system 10 of theinvention. In another embodiment of the invention, the receiving unitscan be motorized puppets distributed to visitors in a park, each puppettaking different facial expressions or emitting different fragrancesdepending on where the visitor is located in the park. Yet anotherexample includes a board game where each puck on the board game changesshape depending on its location on the board using electrostrictiveactuators or electromagnets.

The receiving units 32 are preferably further adapted to receive, decodeand express state commands which do not necessarily induce a physicalmanifestation. A receiving unit 32 may be sent other types of data inaddition to a state data, from the projector 22. Non restrictiveexamples can be commands to switch the receiving units 22 into alow-power consumption mode (sleep), grouping data for grouping unitsinto various sub-groups, program update data for programs saved within areceiving unit, current geo-location of the receiving units, and thelike.

With reference to FIG. 4, the each receiving unit 32 is preferablyprovided with a filter 74, a demodulator 76, and amplifier 78, a digitalinput 80 and a sensor input 82. Of course, only one of these elementscan be provided, and their order in the unit 32 for processing thesignal received can vary. For example, the signal 26 detected by thereceiver 34 can be first amplified, and then filtered, or firstdemodulated, and then amplified and filtered. A variety of signalprocessing can be executed within the unit 32.

In addition, yet in other embodiments, the units 32 can include morethan one of these signal processing elements. For example, a unit may beprovided with two receivers 34, each able to receive a signal at aspecific wavelength. Associated with each of these receivers 34, a statechanging component 54 can be provided. When detecting a signal at firstgiven wavelength the unit 32 can blink and when detecting a signal atanother given wavelength the unit 32 can vibrate. The digital and sensorinputs 80, 82 can be used to modify the state of the state changingcomponent 54. For the sake of clarity not all elements are linked to thepower source 64, although it is understood that elements requiring powerare linked to a power source.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the unit 32 may be provided with a wirelesstransmitter 56 in order to send feedback signal 27 to the projector 22.The transmitter 84 can interact with the inputs 80 and 82 or not. Suchfeedback can include information on the current state, the digital oranalog input 80, 82 of the unit 32, and on its current geo-location orthe like.

With reference to FIG. 8, the receiving units 32 are adapted to changeof color, and units 32 consist of a cluster of an array of lightemitting, light reflecting or light filtering members and are thus notreduced to individual color changing units. For example, the receivingunit 32 can be a cell phone, the receiver 34 being the camera of thecell phone, and the screen of the cell phone being the sate changingcomponent 54. The projector 22 projects signals in which the state dataencoded consists of infrared binary codes, which can include for examplea QR code. The binary codes are sent from the projector 22 to a group ofpeople holding camera-phones 32, such as an IPhone4, with a front-facingcamera 34. Camera-phones 32 can have been previously provided with anapplication controlling focus of the camera. Such control can forexample allow putting the camera out of focus. The binary codes sent bythe projector to the camera could then trigger different animations onthe camera-phone display screen 34 depending on the physical location ofthe phones within a given space. Such a projection system thus creates alarge animation within a crowd using the plurality of the camera-phones.Yet in another embodiment of the invention, the receiving units 32 caninclude a color liquid crystal (LCD) display, organic LED display orplasma display.

Thus, a cluster of such units 2 can form an LCD array which can be usedto display static images, animations or video on an area larger than thearea from an individual LCD.

Of course, the shape and size of the individual receiving units 32 canvary within the plurality of units 32. In other words, each receivingunit 32 can have a shape different from the rest of the units 32. Theunits 32 can take different shapes, be made of different materials andhave different types of physical and/or digital manifestationsmechanisms within a group of units 32.

Still other examples of receiving units can include different types ofdigital components such as: memory card readers; USB ports; discretesensors; momentary push buttons; tilt switches; continuous sensors suchas microphones and accelerometers. These types of componentsadvantageously allow users to interact with the projection system, andthus with other units of the system. For example, some of the receivingunits 32 can be provided with microphones, allowing the units 32 toautonomously control their state, in addition to change state inresponse to signals sent by the projector 22.

Projection Method

According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided amethod for providing a distributed manifestation within an environment.

With reference to FIG. 9A, the method includes a first step ofgenerating a plurality of data sets of associated state data and spatialcoordinate data. The data generator 14 generates state data 18 andassociates it with spatial coordinates 20, by rasterizing the data. Thiscombined stated and spatial coordinate data forms the data sets.

In the following step, the signal generating module 24 generates aplurality of electromagnetic signals, each being representative of thestate data from one of the data sets.

Next, each of the electromagnetic signals is projected by the projectingmodule 28 towards a target location within an environment, the targetlocation corresponding to the spatial coordinate data associated withthe state data transmitted by the electromagnetic signal.

A plurality of receiving units is distributed within the environment. Ateach of the target location where a receiving unit 32 is positioned, thecorresponding electromagnetic signal is received on the receiver 34 ofthe unit 32, the state changing component 54 changing of state inresponse to the state data of the signal received.

Preferably, and with reference to FIG. 9B, the method can furtherinclude the steps of encoding the electromagnetic signals into anencoded electromagnetic signal at the projector level, with an encoder36, and of decoding the encoded electromagnetic signal received at thereceiving unit, with a decoder 38.

Now referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, an example of an application of theprojection system 10 is shown. The projection system is deployed in anauditorium. Individuals within the crowd are provided with receivingunits 32. In this example, the receiving unit is a piece of clothingprovided with IR receivers 34 and the changing components 54 is an arrayof LEDs of different colors, embedded with the piece of clothing. Thedata generator 14, in this case a laptop, feeds two projectors 22 a, and22 b with data sets, the projectors 22 a, 22 b being a digital lightprocessor (DLP) projector including micro-mirrors arrays.

According to the data received, the projectors 22 a, 22 b send differentsignals 26 depending of the location towards which their beam isdirected. In this example, some of the micro-mirrors of the projector 22a project signals 26 towards target location 30 a, the state data ofthese signals 26 a instructing the receiving units to light-up a blueLED. Simultaneously, other micro-mirrors of projector 22 a projectsignals 26 b towards target location 30 b, the state data of thesesignals 26 b instructing the receiving units 32 to turn on their redLED. The receivers 34 on the clothing detects the signals 26, decode thestate change command embedded in the signal and transmit a commandsignal to the state changing component 54, triggering the LEDs tolight-up or light-off.

The other projector 22 b, can also simultaneously receive sets of data16 from the laptop 14, converting the electrical signal into anelectromagnetic signal 26 c. The signals created will include a specificstate data, for example, a blinking instruction for yellow LEDs. Eachelectromagnetic signal will then be directed towards a specific group ofmicro-mirrors, according to the coordinate information to which thestate data was associated with. The projector 22 c will then transmitthe signals 26 to the target location 30 c. As it can be appreciated, aprojector 22 can simultaneously send different signals to differentportions (or target locations) of the crowd. The clothing of a givenindividual will behave differently, depending on its location within theauditorium.

The combined effects of the lighted clothing will create a visualdisplay within the crowd. In other words, each individual in the crowdbecomes a pixel, the crowd forming a giant display allowing images to beprojected on it, thanks to the receiving elements 32 they are wearing.The receiving units 32 being independent from each other, an individualcan move across the room without affecting the display. The LEDs on theclothing of the individual will be lit up or not in function of thesignals received, these signals being projected to specific portions ofthe room, without having to geographically localize the receiving units.

Of course, the projection system of the invention can have variousapplications, not only directed to crowd displays, but it can also beused for large area displays, dynamic camouflage, security systems,object tracking, games, etc.

Advantageously, the projection system of the invention is scalable insize and in resolution. The system is easy to deploy indifferent typesof environments. The receiving units are mechanically and electricallyautonomous rendering them mobile. The projection system is simple, andthe projector mechanism allows precisely addressing each receiving unitwithin a group of units.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the embodiments abovewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

1. A system, comprising: a plurality of receiving units; and atransmitter unit configured to transmit data to the plurality ofreceiving units, the data comprising state information corresponding toeach of a plurality of spatial coordinates; wherein each one of theplurality of receiving units is configured to receive the data at aparticular location described by the spatial coordinates, to process thedata, and to express a state in accordance with the state informationthat corresponds to the spatial coordinates describing the particularlocation, as a result of the one receiving unit being at the particularlocation when the data is received.
 2. A method, comprising an act of:(A) transmitting, by a transmitter to a receiving unit, informationwhich, when processed by the receiving unit, causes the receiving unitto express a state specified by the information as a result of thereceiving unit being at a particular location when the information isreceived.
 3. A method, comprising acts performed by a receiving unit,of: (A) receiving data comprising state information corresponding tospatial coordinates describing a particular location; (B) determiningthat the receiving unit is presently located at the particular location;and (C) in response to the determining in the act (B), expressing astate which is specified at least in part by the state information. 4.The system of claim 1, comprising a data generator configured togenerate the data comprising state information, the data comprising aplurality of data sets each comprising spatial coordinate data and statedata associated with the spatial coordinate data.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the transmitter unit is configured to encode the datacomprising state information, and each of the plurality of receivingunits is configured to decode data received from the transmitting unit.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is configured totransmit the data comprising state information in one or moreelectromagnetic signals each having a wavelength selected from a groupconsisting of infrared wavelengths, visible wavelengths and ultravioletwavelengths.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmitter unit isconfigured to transmit a plurality of electromagnetic signals, each atdifferent wavelengths.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitterunit comprises a matrix addresser having a plurality of switch elementseach controllable to block an electromagnetic signal incident thereon orpropagate the electromagnetic signal toward a location at which areceiving unit is located.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thetransmitter unit comprises at least one processor to control theplurality of switch elements according to the spatial coordinates. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein each receiving unit is configured toexpress a state selected from a group of states consisting of exhibitingone or more visual characteristics, producing one or more sounds,producing an odor, moving, and exhibiting one or more tactilecharacteristics.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein each receiving unitcomprises a state changing component operable to express the state, thestate changing component being selected from a group consisting oflight-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes, quantum dots,incandescent lights, neon lights, liquid crystal displays, plasmadisplays, electronic paper displays, electro-chromic displays,thermo-chromic displays, electromechanically-actuated light filters,electroluminescent elements and phosphorescent elements.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein each receiving unit is configured to transmitfeedback information to the transmitter unit, and the transmitter unitis configured to receive feedback information transmitted by thereceiving units.
 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the act (A)comprises transmitting information comprising spatial coordinate dataand state data associated with the spatial coordinate data.
 14. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the act (A) comprises encoding, by thetransmitter, the information, and wherein processing by the receivingunit comprises decoding the information.
 15. The method of claim 2,wherein the act (A) comprises transmitting the information in one ormore electromagnetic signals each having a wavelength selected from agroup consisting of infrared wavelengths, visible wavelengths andultraviolet wavelengths.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the act (A)comprises transmitting the information in a plurality of electromagneticsignals, each having a different wavelength.
 17. The method of claim 3,wherein the act (C) comprises expressing a state selected from a groupof states consisting of exhibiting one or more visual characteristics,producing one or more sounds, producing an odor, moving, and exhibitingone or more tactile characteristics.
 18. The method of claim 3, whereinthe act (C) comprises expressing a state using a state changingcomponent selected from a group consisting of light-emitting diodes,organic light-emitting diodes, quantum dots, incandescent lights, neonlights, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, electronic paperdisplays, electro-chromic displays, thermo-chromic displays,electromechanically-actuated light filters, electroluminescent elementsand phosphorescent elements.
 19. The method of claim 3, wherein the act(A) comprises receiving the data from a transmitting unit, and whereinthe method further comprises an act of: (D) in response to receiving thedata, transmitting feedback information to the transmitter unit.